Answer : 

• b)
  October to December

Honeybees are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in pollination and honey production. To understand when honeybees lay eggs, let's examine their reproductive cycle and the different stages involved.

1. Reproductive Cycle:
Honeybees have a complex reproductive cycle that involves a queen bee, worker bees, and drones. The queen bee is responsible for laying eggs, while the worker bees are female bees that perform various tasks within the hive. Drones, on the other hand, are male bees whose primary role is to mate with the queen.

2. Stages of the Reproductive Cycle:
a) Queen Bee Mating: The reproductive cycle begins when a young queen emerges from her cell. She goes on one or more mating flights, during which she mates with multiple drones from different colonies.

b) Sperm Storage: After mating, the queen stores the sperm in her spermatheca (a specialized organ) and can utilize it for several years to fertilize eggs.

c) Egg Laying: Once the queen is ready to lay eggs, she starts searching for suitable cells within the hive. She lays a single fertilized egg in each cell. These eggs are small and resemble tiny grains of rice.

3. Egg Laying Period:
The egg-laying period of honeybees varies depending on the availability of resources, weather conditions, and the strength of the colony. Generally, honeybees lay eggs during the months of October to December.

a) October: As the temperature drops and the days become shorter, the queen reduces her egg-laying activity. This is because the bees need to conserve their resources and prepare for winter.

b) November: The queen's egg-laying activity continues to decrease during November. The focus shifts towards maintaining the hive's temperature and ensuring the survival of the colony during the cold winter months.

c) December: By December, the queen's egg-laying activity reaches its lowest point. The colony enters a state of semi-dormancy, with reduced brood production. The bees form a cluster to generate heat and protect the queen and themselves from the cold.

4. Significance of Egg Laying Period:
The egg-laying period of honeybees in the months of October to December is crucial for the survival and growth of the colony. The eggs laid during this time develop into brood, which will emerge as new worker bees in the spring. These bees are essential for the colony's activities, including foraging, honey production, and caring for the queen.

In conclusion, honeybees lay eggs primarily during the months of October to December. This period is critical for the colony's survival and the production of new worker bees. Understanding the reproductive cycle and the timing of egg laying helps beekeepers and researchers manage honeybee populations effectively.

October to December